In Germany, the work and residence rights of Turkish nationals are often assessed primarily based on the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), overlooking a separate framework shaped by EU law.
Yet, the association agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC)—now the European Union—and Turkey, especially the provisions of Association Council Decision No. 1/80, which entered into force on 1 December 1980, still carries practical relevance today, both for Turkish employees and their family members.
Although the framework is more than four decades old, it continues to form part of EU law and can provide Turkish employees and their family members with rights that may extend beyond those available under national immigration legislation. In certain situations, it can even become decisive where residence rights under the German Residence Act are limited or no longer available.
This blog breaks down the key rights under Decision No. 1/80, clarifies how the standstill provisions limit new restrictions and shows why these protections still matter, even if they are not always at the forefront of consideration by authorities and practitioners.
What Is the EU-Turkey Association Law and Why Is it Important in Germany Today?
The EU-Turkey Association Law, particularly Decision No. 1/80, can confer important rights to Turkish employees and their family members, sometimes going beyond those available under national law.
Full freedom of movement for Turkish workers—comparable...
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